Nakama

[Luke]

Naruto nodded with a smile on his face, "Well you shouldn't! Besides your home...this is probably the safest place you could be." he stated. "Though, I think 'because I said so' is something all parents use at one time or other." he added with a laugh. He rolled his eyes as Kazuo nodded vigorously at him.

"...anyway...it's a shame that he thinks that--because it couldn't be farther from the truth."

"Yeah! A village full of the toughest shinobi in the world? I'd like to see a safer place!" said Kazuo with a large grin.

"...with as strong as Sasuke was the last time he and Naruto fought...I wouldn't be surprised if his home was safer." thought Kakashi as he looked over across the table at Keiji. "Speaking of shinobi...do your parents have any experience with that sort of thing--or you, perhaps?" he asked. Kazuo looked over at Keiji, "I can't believe I didn't bother asking that myself!" he said, feeling slightly silly.

[/justify]

[foxx]

"If you mean jutsu and stuff, yeah..." Keiji replied with a small nod; "I don't know very much... My brother knows a lot more; but Father tries to teach us things sometimes. Sometimes Mother. Their stuff is so different, though; I get confused a lot."

The boy trailed off again, looking once more at Hiromi. For a few moments he sat there, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. They rose suddenly in epiphany. "Oh..." he muttered; "That's what it is... You looked really familiar and I didn't know why until now." He smiled slightly. "You look a lot like Mother." Hiromi blinked, lifting his head and turning it toward the boy. For a moment Keiji thought he'd said something wrong, shrinking back into his seat again. "Sorry if that seems weird..."
"...No, it's...it's not," Hiromi answered.

[/size]

[Luke]

As the meal progressed, so did the friendly conversation among them all. Things were going surprisingly well. Time moved on and the desserts were eventually brought out. Kazuo eyed it with a look of awe and adoration--he really wanted that dessert. As it was handed out to everyone, Naruto stuffed his into his mouth almost immediately. Reaching behind Kazuo, he tapped the boy on the opposite shoulder and as Naruto thought he was going to look the other way...

"...touch my dessert and I will hurt you."

"...so rude to your father!"

"I wouldn't have to be if you weren't such a sweet bandit!"

The two argued for a few moments longer before Kazuo eventually ate his dessert while Naruto sat...looking defeated.



"Well, that was a wonderful meal...thank you for preparing it, Hinata." Kakashi said. Naruto nodded in agreement, "Definitely!" he stated before the two of them looked around the table--content. With a small sigh, Kakashi spoke. "Alrighty! I'll help move everything back into the house!" he said as he stood up and picked up whatever he could gather before moving to the back door. Naruto and Kazuo did the same, "Right behind you!" they said in unison before moving quickly along.

[/justify]

[foxx]

Stern-faced and focused, Sasuke sped through the woods as quickly as he could. Konoha... Of all the places he could go... he thought, though the thought only seemed to push his disturbance further. He grit his teeth and sped on, and for about half an hour the man traveled this way, without any stops or hesitance. Finally the walls of the great village came into view, and the man picked up his pace, if it was even possible. The problem now is finding him in this pit... But...I'll follow this hunch.

Sasuke turned sharply, running alongside the outskirts of the village until he'd reached the back end of it. He slowed his pace and began to near the walls, climbing up them with quick ease. Of course, guards patrolled the tops of the walls, but before the nearest one could turn around, Sasuke quickly jabbed a hand to his neck, rendering the man quietly unconscious there. He slipped down over the other side with a scoff. "Security here still sucks," he muttered, but fell silent as familiar voices reached his ears. He clung to a nearby building, slinking through the shadows and chancing a peek around a corner, wordlessly blessing the shrubs and shade for hiding him. His insides churned uncomfortably as he spotted his youngest sitting amongst a party that he once called "friend", though that trust was far passed; though the thing that made his stomach churn the most was the sight of blonde hair sitting near the end of the table, as well as the older jounin present. There was no way he would be able to safely retrieve his son in this. Perhaps he could catch the boy as he left, or...

---

Hinata and Kushina stood as well, stacking plates and grabbing empty cups before heading toward the house with the others. Hiromi stood as well, pausing briefly as he passed Keiji; he seemed as though he wished to say something, but decided against it, instead walking toward the house after the others, following their familiar footsteps.

---

There! They've left!
Quickly, Sasuke darted out of the bushes, making nary a sound as he approached his son.

Keiji watched Hiromi go with a curious expression, then, shrugging, he reached for his own dirtied dishes; however, he paused, nearly dropping a plate when he felt a firm hand close around his forearm. He looked up, and with a shock of sudden terror, met the eyes of his father. "F-fath--" the boy began, but was cut off as the man turned around quickly, a finger to his lips in a wordless command of silence. Keiji fell silent, glancing to the door before following Sasuke, his face paling a few shades. Lifting his son onto his back, Sasuke darted back up and over the wall again, making a dash back into the woods. Keiji clung tightly, unable to find his voice in his panic and confusion.

[/size]

[Luke]

Kazuo put the dishes in the sink before sighing contently. "Well...now that we've got that out of the way...I say we go find the others and play tag!" he said, grinning from ear to ear. He turned around and looked for his friend...who was nowhere to be found. Frowning slightly, Kazuo walked back outside and looked around there--but found no one.

"Keiji? Hey Keiji! Where'd you go!?"

Naruto walked outside, looking confused. "What's going on, son?" he asked. "...I can't find Keiji!" the boy responded, his eyes darting all over, attempting to catch sight of his friend. Scratching the back of his head, Naruto glanced around the area. "...well he was just here a minute ago! Where could he have possibly gone?" he asked. "Well, I don't know!" replied Kazuo. Kakashi stepped outside as well, wondering what the commotion was about. Hearing about not being able to find Keiji, he sighed slightly.

"...he didn't seem like the type to just run off without saying anything." he stated with a small shrug.

"...but what else could have happened?"

Naruto and Kakashi exchanged glances--both were equally puzzled with this. Both of them were thinking what might have happened--but that was far too unlikely. No...there was no point in saying anything yet at this point in time. It was much more logical that he had just left in a hurry and forgot. Naruto eventually walked over to his son and patted him on the head. "...I'm sure he just had to run home or something--he seemed like the jumpy type...maybe he realized he was late and just forgot to say something?" he asked.

"...yeah. Maybe."

"Would it make you feel better if we looked around for him a bit?"

"...I dunno. I just hope I didn't do something to make him mad at me..."

Naruto and Kakashi exchanged another glance--this sure had taken a turn for the worse.

[/justify]

[foxx]

Hearing the commotion outside, Hinata and Kushina followed the others out of the house; Hiromi merely hung out past the door frame. "What happened?" he asked. Kushina looked over her shoulder at the man, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Kazuo's friend seems to have just left out of nowhere," she explained, sighing lightly. Hiromi lifted an eyebrow. "Guess it runs in the family..." he muttered, his tone one of biting sarcasm. Hinata glanced from Hiromi to her son, sighing as she approached him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I'm sure he just had to leave and forgot to tell us..." she said reassuringly, her tone gentle; "He doesn't have a reason to be mad at you, okay?"

---

It was a long while (or perhaps the time passed more slowly in Keiji's panicked mind) before Sasuke slowed his pace. Keiji wasn't sure at first whether this was a good thing or not, his emotions riding the fence between anxious and relieved. Finally Sasuke stopped, and Keiji slid off his back in response to the slack in the man's arms. He took a step back when Sasuke turned around, and the boy realized quickly that he was unable to hold his father's gaze. However, he chanced another glance upward, for the face he'd seen was hardly what he'd expected. Instead of furious, Sasuke seemed...disappointed, hurt almost.

Keiji dropped his gaze again, this time from a sudden pang of shame; though he wasn't quite sure where it came from. "Keiji," Sasuke began, pausing to catch his breath; "I don't tell you not to do things for my own health. I don't tell you not to do things to be mean or unfair. I have reasons and method behind madness."
"Then..." Keiji began, looking up again; his eyebrows were furrowed slightly; "Tell me why I can't go there."
"I don't have to tell you why. You just stay away from the place, like I said."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"But, Father--"
"Keiji!"

The boy fell silent, looking away again. "Come on," Sasuke said, his tone lowered again; "We're going home." Hesitantly, Keiji obeyed, climbing back onto his father's back; and they were off again. "...Keiji," Sasuke said suddenly, pausing briefly as he leaped to a low tree branch; "You aren't ever to go to that village again, or..." he paused another time; "...or see that boy anymore. You won't venture past the yard unless I say otherwise."

Keiji remained silent, looking over his shoulder and watching the trees recede into the distance as they ran. ...I'm sorry, Kazuo...

[/size]

[Luke]

Staring off toward the road for a few moments, Kazuo eventually looked over at his mother. "...right." he said before nodding slightly. Heaving a large sigh he turned slightly and headed toward the road. "I'm gonna go and practice a little bit." he called out to his parents. Naruto nodded slightly, "Be careful and don't overdo it, son." he stated. "Alright." replied the younger Uzumaki before taking off--bounding out of sight.

Naruto sighed.

"That could have went better..."

Kakashi stood there for a few moments, watching him. "...what do you suppose happened?" he asked--deciding to kill the silence. The Hokage shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. For all we know he packed up and booked it." he replied with a loud sigh before looking down at the ground. Looking up after a few seconds, he noticed the strange look that Kakashi had. "...I know what you're thinking and it's impossible."

"Is it though?"

"...security is top notch around here."

"Well, there must be some reason Keiji just took off." Kakashi stated. "And he seemed far too polite to leave without at least saying something..." he added. Scratching the back of his head, Naruto looked absolutely baffled. "You're right. But...there's just no way he could have gotten here without being noticed." he replied. It was obvious from the look on Naruto's face that he wasn't sure of what was going on--and his confidence in the security of the village was a bit lacking at that point in time.

"...damn it."

[/justify]

[foxx]

Kushina watched her brother leave in his disappointment, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "...He's so down about this," she mused, sighing lightly. She started off at a walk, waving a hand. "I'm gonna go get his mind off things and train with him... Ja mata ne!"

Hinata waved her daughter off, turning back to the remaining adults with a sigh. Her arms folded and she leaned back on the edge of the table, just lightly sitting against it. She looked up as Hiromi scoffed, obviously responding to Naruto and Kakashi's conversation. He stepped out of the door fully, shoving his hands into his pockets. "He almost had me there, I'll admit..." he said, giving them both a skeptical expression; "But...really? You honestly think Sasuke just...hopped in and took the kid?" For a few moments the man was silent. "Naruto, I know you...you want to help the guy or whatever, but...don't go delusional over it. The kid ran off; just like his dad, just like his mo--..." He stopped himself, falling into a pained silence.

[Luke]

Naruto turned to look at Hiromi. "...I get that you don't mind holding a grudge the guy." he stated. "I can understand why you'd want to--but that doesn't mean you've got to hold something against his kid. You're letting your anger at Sasuke cloud your judgement." he added. Pausing for a moment or two it was obvious that he was doing his best to choose his words wisely--but eventually said screw it.

"Stop being dense. You heard the kid yourself...he wouldn't have left without saying anything."

"Naruto...we don't know that.." said Kakashi.

"He was far too polite to just leave without saying anything...and there was no reason for the kid to run off. Why is it so hard for you to believe that he could have been taken?" Naruto asked, looking from one man to the next. "But who am I kidding? It's not like it matters whether or not you believe that, Hiromi. You're dead set on taking that anger to your grave--hell you're spreading it on to CHILDREN." he stated, staring a hole in the man.

"Naruto...calm down."

Naruto looked over at Kakashi.

"No! I'm not going to calm down. I made a promise a long time ago that I've yet to come through on--I promised to bring Sasuke home...and I'm not stopping until I do it." replied Naruto, shaking his head. Looking back over at Hiromi, he opened his mouth to speak again. "I was trying to help you realize that your nephew wasn't some 'evil spawn' like you said, Hiromi...but you'd rather spend your time letting that hate control your thoughts.."

"This isn't just about Sasuke...this is about a family now." he finished.

[/justify]

[foxx]

Hiromi's expression only became darker, and he felt his fingers curl up at his sides. "You're the one being dense, Naruto," he retorted in a biting tone; "You tell me I can't see past my anger, but you can't see past your...your old and worn-out dreams." He paused, carefully treading across this new ground. "It's hard for me to believe something so ridiculous; he came and took Keiji home. It's like you're just scrounging for excuses now, anything to reach what you should have dropped a long time ago."

"...Really, Naruto," he continued, his tone a bit quieter, more serious and less angry; "How long has it been? We're all adults now; Sasuke left when he was THIRTEEN. What in the WORLD makes you think he's going to 'come home'?" Once more the man paused. "...I never have understood why you've taken up for him so much. What has he ever done for you, after all this care and kindness and forgiveness you've given him? What has he ever done for anyone but himself?"

[/size]

[Luke]

Naruto narrowed his eyes--resisting the urge to punch the man. Turning around and taking a few steps away, Naruto stared down at the ground. "How is that ridiculous? The fact that a shinobi like Sasuke slipped in undetected...scooped his son up and then took off?" he shook his head. "You just don't want to believe that the kid is actually decent. You'd much rather believe he's some disgusting spawn." he added.

Pacing around he waited a moment or two to continue. "And you want to know why I stand up for him?" he asked. He paused for a moment or two, though he knew exactly what he wanted to say. "Sasuke is my friend. He's like a brother to me." he stated. "Regardless of how things are now...I know that we still have a bond. I have faith that one day he'll finally understand and come back." he stated.

He turned his gaze back to the man.

"...I'd rather hold onto my dreams than be a bitter and sulky man. I told you this wasn't just about Sasuke anymore--it's about a family. But you couldn't see past Sasuke because you're so filled with hate!" he stated. "Have you really given up on your sister?" he asked after a moment.

He sighed.

"Call my dream old and worn out if you want. But don't act like I'm the only fool here."

[/justify]

[foxx]

"Some brother, some bond," Hiromi replied, his eyebrows becoming thin, flat lines over his eyes. He lifted his hands, though, stopping himself from saying anything else; as it had been said, this was more about Keiji than it was Sasuke. "Nevermind it..."

The man fell even more silent at the mention of his sister, his detached gaze dropping a bit. "...And as for Akane," he said, continuing in a less-angered tone; "I've waited years for her. All those times we went out and searched for her...you have no idea how badly I wanted to find my sister and bring her home... Call it giving up if you want, but...I've realized, she must care about that jerk a lot more than she does her own brother. If Akane wanted to come home, she would have done it a long time ago; same goes for Sasuke. Both of them have had plenty of opportunities..." He lifted his 'gaze' again to Naruto, his face holding a pained expression. "It's not my fault that I'm bitter. Remember that before you go off giving people titles."

[/size]

[Luke]

"....but it IS your fault that you're bitter."

Naruto looked over at him. "For years I had been an outcast--looked down on and treated like a monster. I didn't have parents or even so much as a friend. And then the first friend I ever had took off...but was I bitter? No." he stated. "So don't give me that crap that you can't help being bitter...because I know better." he stated.

He sighed yet again.

"It's a waste of time to argue with you over this. You've already made up your mind." he said. Pausing for a moment, he turned away and stared up at the sky. "And so have I. I'm going to continue attempting to bring them back...even if I have to do it myself. There's nothing that you can say that's going to change my mind. Call me dense...call me a fool...and idiot--I don't care. I'm going to bring them back and make things right." he stated.

[/justify]

[foxx]

"...All right, Naruto," Hiromi said finally, his tone seeming to be carved out of thick stone; "I'd just hate to see a repeat; I'd hate to see your son go through what you've been through with Sasuke. Keep your mind... I won't question you anymore if that's what you truly want."

"You two," Hinata said, stepping away from the table; "Stop it." She looked between the two men, her eyebrows furrowed with concern over her pale eyes. "This is no time for all this... We've stumbled into a fragile situation that needs to be handled carefully, not rashly. So for now...let's just all calm down...ne?"

[/size]

[Luke]

Remaining quiet for a few moments, Naruto regained his composure. With a small sigh he nodded before taking a few steps toward the gate. He glanced behind him at everyone before opening the gate and then stepping through it. "I'm gonna go for a walk--I've got a lot to think about." he stated before he moved forward.

"I'll see you all in a bit."

Kakashi waved at the man. "Hurry back--you've got paperwork to fill out!" he called after him. With a small sigh, the man turned around and looked at the remaining two. "Well...what a stressful day..." he said.

Not paying any attention to the noise behind him, Naruto's mind was on other things. The argument with Hiromi played over in his mind again and again--each time the man's words seemed to hit him harder. He had called his dreams old and worn out--that there was basically no point. What if he was right? What if all of this was in vain and Naruto was just holding on to a childish dream? It wasn't that he doubted if he 'should' bring back Sasuke--he knew that without a doubt. No...this was an inner struggle with himself. Could he do it?

[Flashback]

[/b][/size]

A young Naruto gave a toothy grin and a thumbs up--Rock Lee's signature nice guy pose. Doing his best to fight back the trembling in his arm as he held it out, he finally shouted out.

"Don't you worry one bit! I'm gonna bring Sasuke back--I promise that on my life!"

[/right][/b]

It had been years since he had made that promise--and he had yet to back it up. Every chance he had slipped through his fingers and it seemed as though his friend was slipping farther and farther away the harder he tried to reach him. Doing his best to fight back the tears in his eyes, he grew started to grow frustrated--just what the hell had he been doing all these years? He had never given up the search...and yet after all this time he was no closer than at The Valley of the End.

"...damn it!"

A few moments later, Naruto found himself staring at a door with no clue as to why he was there. Having been absently walking, it was just happened. Mentally shrugging to himself, he felt as though he needed to talk to him. Moving up the steps, Naruto reached out and knocked on the door a few times.

"Uh...hey--it's Naruto..." he called.

The door opened.

"I know--I watched you walk here from the window....come on in."

Toshiro gestured for the Hokage to step into the house and closed the door behind him. "What can I do for you?" he asked after a moment. Naruto remained quiet for a moment or two, his eyes on the ground. Toshiro immediately knew what was going on. Sitting down in the chair opposite from him, the Akisaka took off his reading glasses and placed them down on the table at his side.

"...I'm not going to help you, Naruto."

"You don't even know I was going to say anything about that."

"I know you well, Naruto." stated Toshiro. "You shouldn't insult our friendship by assuming otherwise." he added. With a small pause, Toshiro continued. "I know that look--I've seen it hundreds of times over the years. You don't look like that unless it has something to do with Sasuke." Brushing a spec of dust off his pant leg, he glanced over at Naruto shortly. "Look...I can't help you--I just can't."
---

"Toshiro, please just hear me out."

"...I don't need to hear what you have to say on the matter, Naruto. I made up my mind a long time ago." replied the man.

"Toshiro, you don't understa-"

"No, Naruto. YOU don't understand." interrupted Toshiro, his eyes filled with fire. He had jumped up from his seat and pointed a finger in his direction. "When Sasuke left...he broke the hearts of his friends--my friends. I watched those same friends suffer for years over him. I lost someone who I thought of as a sister because of him. Why should I give a DAMN about that man when he sure as hell doesn't give a damn about us?" Toshiro asked.

Vaulting away from apathy and into full blown anger, Toshiro stopped abruptly--looking shocked. He looked back to Naruto, who was looking at him without blinking. Clearing his throat, he sat back down and attempted to act as though nothing had happened. "...I can't help a man who doesn't want to be helped, Naruto." he stated, attempting to calm down.

Naruto sighed. "Toshiro...I understand how you feel--but this isn't just about Sasuke anymore. It's about a family. Don't you want to see Akane again?" he asked. His eyebrows raised when he didn't elicit a response from Toshiro.

"...she made up her mind along with him. There's nothing we can do about her either, I'd say."

Now it was Naruto's turn to get angry. "Stop acting so cool about this, you idiot! You care just as much as I do and you KNOW IT! That little outburst you had proves it!" he said. "You may act like you don't care about it...but deep down you cling to hope just like I do. The only difference between us is that I'M[/b] actually trying to do something about it while you're sitting on your sofa pouting at a wall!" he shouted.

"You can sit there and call me crazy or tell me I'm wrong all you want, but I know what I'm saying is true. I can see it in your eyes, Toshiro! Don't you insult our friendship by assuming otherwise!" he said.

Toshiro sat in silence for a good few minutes with his gaze on the floor. Naruto looked in surprise as he watched tears drop to the carpet. "I spent all those years being so angry at Sasuke...sad about Akane...and sad about watching my friends suffer that I just...I couldn't help it. I just told myself I didn't care about that anymore." he said between broken sobs while his gaze was still on the floor. "Eventually I ended up believing that lie."

"...Naruto, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be..."

"So....what do we do first?"[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]